25.

On August 29, 2017 By sarafroiIn Life StoriesLeave a comment

Last Wednesday I turned 25. I can’t pretend I’m not an adult anymore. For the first time in my life, I feel old. But at the same time, I don’t feel old at all.
I think that when I was younger, I thought that I’d have a lot more accomplished at 25. In reality, I haven’t accomplished much at all. Though it might be true that I’ve accomplished more than others my age.
I’ve finished college (a couple years ago). I’ve fallen in love. I’ve made a life for myself. I pay all my bills on time, if not early. I have a savings account. For the most part, I’m happy.

24 was a hard year for me. And I’m not sure if 25 will be worse or better. I lost my mother at 24, but she’ll never speak to me at 25. But at 25, my father and I are traveling to Europe on a great adventure, one that I’ve dreamed my whole life for.

I’m not who I thought I would be. But maybe I’ll never be who I thought I’d be. Maybe there’s a different plan for my life. And maybe I’m okay with that. So, here’s to 25, I guess.

Love is Scary

On February 20, 2017 By sarafroiIn Life Stories, Oh holidays, TheologyLeave a comment

Valentine’s Day was last week. I don’t know much about the origin of Valentine’s Day, and I’ve never really fully partaken in the holiday, because it’s become a hallmark holiday to sell merchandise and make single people feel lonely. However, this year was my first year as part of a real couple on Valentine’s Day. Not that I find the holiday important, but it has gotten me thinking.

How does one know that they will love someone forever? How do we trust that our partner will love us forever? What is forever? Love is about trust. Love is about loyalty. Love is a choice. I’m in a relationship that I could perceive lasting forever. I have zero desire for it to end. It’s just sometimes hard to wrap my head around someone wanting to be with me forever. People are constantly changing and evolving. But my parents were together 43 years and would have been together another thousand if possible. I want that. Maybe I have that. Giving your heart to someone is just a little terrifying.

But is it the same with God’s love? Because he is love and will love me forever. His love is not dependent on whether we’re in the same place or like the same things. It just is. As long as I can trust that, nothing else really matters, I guess.

So what if love is scary? It just might be worth it. God’s love brought me all the way across the country, didn’t it? And there are probably a thousand more adventures to be had.

Baptism

On October 29, 2016October 29, 2016 By sarafroiIn Darkness, Stupid Depression RantsLeave a comment

I just want to sit in reality with you
With someone
I just want to be washed over
Because as clean as I am, I will never feel clean
As my life changes, all I see is the dirt
The filth
The grime
And every time you say that it’s gone
That you don’t see it anymore
Every time that I start to forget
I am reminded of my stains
My old carpet soul
I am reminded that as much as I am wanted
I can never really be wanted
And as much as this might not be real
I constantly find it my reality

“Save Me”

On September 2, 2016 By sarafroiIn Poetry (Spoken Word)Leave a comment

“Save me”
Crying out
“Save me”
Clawing at the edges
“Save me”
Can’t pull yourself up

“I can’t do this on my own
Not anymore”
You yell this in his face
As he gently beckons
Just let go

Afraid of heights
Pulling yourself to the top of the pit
Will not look back at what you’re climbing from
Begging
“Save me”
Just let go

Beneath you
Right beneath you
Are arms poised and ready
Waiting for you to just let go
So they can catch you

“Save me”
Crying out
As you pull away from salvation
Not realizing you are saved
If you’d just let go

No longer waiting
No longer striving in fear
“Save me”
Words that are only memories to your lips
Just let go
You are safe

Blogging Everyday In July

On July 1, 2016June 30, 2016 By sarafroiIn Blogging Everyday in July, ChallengeLeave a comment

Today is July 1st. One day down, 30 more to go, I guess. And I’m probably going to keep this one short.

I think everyone has dreams that could be one day realistic, but aren’t really that realistic. When I was about 19 I realized that writing has always been easy for me. I realized that it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It’s something I love. And it’s something that I dream of making a living at. But in reality, I’ll probably never get paid enough to put words down to pay my rent. And in reality, I’m okay with that. It’s okay to dream. Sometimes dreams come true, but it’s okay if they’re just dreams.

So I got this idea. How can I push myself as a writer? How can I do more? How can I get out of my comfort zone? Because I spend so much time staying safe. I say real things and I make people think, occasionally, but I don’t go much further than my own life. I don’t talk about politics or controversial things that are going on in the world. And part of this is because although I am offensive, I don’t want to be too offensive. I’m a liberal person, but my family is conservative. If I say anything that’s too much for them, I become offensive. I’m a Christian, and a majority of my friends share my beliefs, and if I push the envelope too far, what if they disown me? But if these people really loved me, they wouldn’t care. And also, what do I have to be afraid of? I want to write about more than just what lives inside my mind.

So I’m blogging everyday in July. Get ready to be annoyed. But also, inspire me. If there’s something you wished I would blog about, or write a poem about, or make up a story about, email me the idea at sarafroipoetry@gmail.com. Push me out of my comfort zone. Or don’t.

Staying Put

On June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 By sarafroiIn Challenge, Darkness, Life Stories, Stupid Depression RantsLeave a comment

(I seem to write a lot of blogs in airports)

I just spent a week in California. I flew into Reno last Monday and got to spend one day in Mammoth, my home, before venturing onward to Crescent City to be a part of an old friend’s wedding. Back in Alabama, I was so excited for this trip, and everyone kept telling me to enjoy my vacation. But I knew it wasn’t a vacation. I don’t remember how to vacation. I’ve forgotten how to rest.

My day in Mammoth I tried to run around and see people, but instead was monopolized by someone who cannot have my heart. I had dinner with my parents. It’s too hard when your minutes are too few.
My best friend and I drove to her parents’ house near San Jose on Wednesday, and onward to Crescent City, up at the top of the state, on Thursday. We went to straight into Bachelorette party mode. We drank and it was loud and I was tired. Already drained, before anything had even begun. My heart had been left behind me.
Friday we ran around picking flowers and finding teapots and books for bouquets and center pieces. It never occurred to me that all of this wouldn’t be done before the day before the wedding. My heart wasn’t there, I had left it behind me. I was drained. But weddings will never be about the bridesmaids, and it was so important that I do everything I can to make the day and all the preparations go smoothly. I think I had forgotten what I was getting myself into.
The wedding day my dress was too long. There were bugs and heat, and then sudden coldness, so I wore a sweater to the reception. The bride was beautiful. She is so in love, and there is no doubt that Josh is the one for her. She has wanted this for so long. But I simultaneously drank too much and not enough. My heart was not there. I lost it somewhere.
Yesterday my best friend and I drove 10 hours to be back to Mammoth so I could go to Lighthouse and see the people I hadn’t gotten to see yet. However, after the whole day, the whole week, I didn’t want to see anyone. I’m out of money and I haven’t eaten and all I wanted was to sleep, but there were things to be done.
I saw who I could, but left before any real conversations were had. I got picked up for dinner by the one who has my heart, but was too tired to function. Waking up with my memory erased.

I don’t regret this trip, but I regret this trip. I regret coming home too soon. I need to find my heart and drag it to Alabama with me. I think it’s time that I stay put. God keeps saying, “Stay put.”
I want to plan more trips, but I’m never going to be happy and rested in my travels if I keep trying to do everything all the time. I want my life to be an adventure, but it’s time to learn to adventure where I live first. Start small. Embrace your reality.

So I told the one who has my hear to give it back. I won’t be visiting anymore. Not until I have someone to visit with. Not until I’m healthy enough to be who I was, versus who I am.

Because I don’t have a drinking problem, but when I drink, I drink a lot.
I don’t have a drug problem, but if someone’s offering, I’ll accept.
I don’t have a guy problem, but my heart latches onto anyone who will let it.
I don’t have a money problem, but I forgot that moving to a different culture means adjusting to a different budget.
I don’t have an eating disorder, but it’s really hard to eat when your heart beats for someone else.

I keep finding all the ways that I am broken. But in reality, I am one whole person. We all have a story. Maybe someday I’ll be able to share all of mine. Maybe someday I’ll be able to be completely honest about why my heart is still broken, rather than broken again. But until then, here’s one piece. Just one more piece.

I’m breaking up with California. I’m ready to be freed.

Casualty

On May 29, 2016 By sarafroiIn Poetry (Spoken Word)Leave a comment

Even as the price has been paid
I cannot bring myself
To be like the rest of these
Whole people
Asking me to dance in freedom
Before a loving God

Why cannot I
Just sit at the feet
Of my loving God?

In the quiet
Basking in a glory unknown
Though they cannot see my freedom
As it has not been fully realized
Does not negate its reality

I am free
Just feeling caged in
By the warriors around me
Not their prisoner
Not ready to be another casualty
Please let me be

imjusttryingtolive.

Tag: reality

25.